Last Friday, the staggering debt figures of KTM AG and its two subsidiaries – totaling nearly three billion euros – were disclosed. The MotoGP program is now set to feel the impact.
According to Motorsport.com, a decision has been made to halt the development of KTM’s MotoGP bikes as part of measures aimed at sustaining the racing project amid the insolvency crisis.
In November, during the Solidarity GP in Barcelona, a meeting was reportedly held at KTM headquarters, where MotoGP stakeholders were informed of the high-risk financial situation. Assurances were provided that the Austrian manufacturer intends to remain in the championship despite the challenges.
It was also during this meeting that the decision to pause bike development over the winter was discussed. During the Barcelona test, almost no new parts were trialed, and test riders Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaró did not participate.